A SUPERMARKET has launched a huge public consultation in its campaign to build a new store in a Hampshire town.

Sainsbury’s is this month leafleting around 12,000 households in the Bishop’s Waltham area giving details of its plans to redevelop the Abbey Mill site.

The controversial plan has stirred strong opposition from many town traders who fear it will sound the death knell of independent shops.

Sainsbury’s, in a statement, said that the new store will have “a sensitive design unique to Bishops Waltham”.

It denies it will suck trade from the town, claiming most people do not currently shop in the town.

Local people will receive details of the plans, together with a reply-paid comment form, so that views on the scheme can be made known.

Sainsbury regional development executive Max Whitehand said: “Initial plans are being put together and we will begin full consultation at the end of this month as soon as they are ready.

“We are keen to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to comment, and it is obviously important that people make informed judgements based on the facts of the scheme, once details of our proposals have been published.”

Mr Whitehand added: “We are aware that some local traders have raised concerns, although independent survey evidence shows that the majority of people living in the area do not currently undertake their main food shopping in Bishop’s Waltham.

“Supermarkets compete with other supermarkets and a new Sainsbury’s store would help to keep more shoppers in Bishop’s Waltham.

“This would reduce the need to travel to other stores outside the area for their main food shopping, such as those at Hedge End, Fareham and Bursledon.”

A Bishop’s Waltham Action Group has been set up to oppose the new superstore.

Town fishmonger Peter Atkinson told the Hampshire Chronicle last week: “This is a wake-up call to Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council as there seems to be a few of them who want this to go ahead without thinking about the consequences for the town.

“I would like as many residents as possible to write and lobby the council demanding a full public meeting to discuss the plans for Sainsbury’s in full.”

Households that will be consulted are in the city council wards: Bishop’s Waltham, Cheriton and Bishops Sutton; Upper Meon Valley; Droxford; Soberton & Hambledon; Swanmore & Newtown; Wickham; Shedfield; Owslebury & Curdridge.

The redevelopment also includes the restoration of an historic mill building for employment uses, a small number of new homes, and the provision of public open space. It would create up to 250 new full- and part-time jobs.